Dave Rennie has backed Hunter Paisami's failed cross-field kick, believing the Wallabies need to further explore their kicking options to 'expose' the French defence in the final two games.
With France up by a point scrambling for numbers after a late Tupou break, Paisami turned it over with two minutes remaining after overshooting debut winger Andrew Kellaway.
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Fortunately, the Wallabies would once again re-gain possession, eventually claiming the two-point win in the 82nd minute via a Noah Lolesio penalty goal.
Whilst the decision has received some criticism, Rennie praised the option as he encourages Paisami and the rest of the outside backs to break open the French via the boot in the remaining two games.
“We told him when it does the cross kick to make it a bit shorter,” Rennie said post-match with a smile.
“He’s got a pretty impressive kicking game. The confidence to drop it on the left foot but he’s actually a right-footer. I think a lot of people thought he was left-footed last year he kicked that many times of his left.
“We’re trying to grow our kicking game because it’s an important part of the game. I think we missed the opportunity to expose the French tonight with some smart kicks and maybe overplayed our hand so Hunter’s just playing what’s in front of him.
“It’s a part of the game that’s a real strength so we trust him to make decisions."
This has been shared by Kellaway, who concedes Paisami would have 'copped a spray' if he didn't put it in.
"Not close enough,” he said on how close he was to the kick. “It was a great option, a great kick even. I think eight times out of ten they come off so if Hunter didn’t kick it, I’d probably be spraying him, to be honest.
“Last night it didn’t work, who’s to say on Tuesday night it doesn’t. We’re going to keep backing him to do that because if we get that right, that’s the sort of stuff that brings fans back and wins games.
“I’m not a betting man but next time ‘Hunt’ goes for that quick, I bet it’ll come off.”
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Kellaway became Wallaby 943 when he took the field for the final 13 minutes of the game.
Whilst there were fears he'd never get on, the 25-year-old was pleased he could feature for the final moments of the victory. “That’s the frightening aspect of being on the bench on debut,” Kellaway said. “It wasn’t that long ago I was watching Jono Lance do the same thing and not get on the poor fella so that was definitely on my mind.
“At the same time, you’re so caught up in the moment watching the game and particularly the game last night was on a knife’s edge for most of it…I’m incredibly grateful and super pumped I was able to get on and have a crack.
“So often you lose games like that so it was nice to be able to win.”
